Key Points
-
Raises awareness of the increasing consumption of bodybuilding supplements amongst amateur competitors/enthusiasts.
-
Describes which supplements might be consumed and their sugar content.
-
Discusses how dental professionals can help recognise patients at an increased risk of developing dental caries and provides advice on how to better manage them.
Abstract
Supplementation is a key component in bodybuilding and is increasingly being used by amateur weight lifters and enthusiasts to build their ideal bodies. Bodybuilding supplements are advertised to provide nutrients needed to help optimise muscle building but they can contain high amounts of sugar. Supplement users are consuming these products, while not being aware of their high sugar content, putting them at a higher risk of developing dental caries. It is important for dental professionals to recognise the increased risk for supplement users and to raise awareness, provide appropriate preventative advice and be knowledgeable of alternative products to help bodybuilders reach their goals, without increasing the risk of dental caries.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
University of Georgia. Magazine trends study finds increase in advertisements using sex. 2012. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 June 2012. Online information available at www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120605113725.htm (accessed June 2015).
Press gazette. UK magazine combined print/digital sales figures for the first half 2014: complete breakdown. 2014. Online information available at http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/uk-magazine-combined-printdigital-sales-figures-first-half-2014-complete-breakdown (accessed June 2015).
BMA. Eating disorders, body image & the media – a new BMA report. 2000. Press Release. Online information available at http://web.bma.org.uk/pressrel.nsf/wall/784D03804FA98F41802568F50054326A?OpenDocument (accessed June 2015).
BBC. Muscle supplement industry going mainstream. 2011. Online information available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12277808 (accessed June 2015).
BBC. The rise of the protein drinks for ordinary people. 2013. Online information available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22753620 (accessed June 2015).
Discount supplements. Sports supplements. Online information available at http://www.discount-supplements.co.uk/sports-supplements (accessed June 2015).
Coburn J W, Housh D J, Housh T J et al. Effects of leucine and whey protein supplementation during eight weeks of unilateral resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 2006; 20: 284–291.
Helms E R, Aragon A A, Fitchen P J . Evidence-based recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: Nutrition and Supplementation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014; 11: 20.
Campbell B, Kreider R B, Ziegenfuss T et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2007; 4: 8.
Stark M, Lukaszuk J, Prawitz A, Salacinski A . Protein timing and its effects on muscular hypertrophy and strength in individuals engaged in weighttraining. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2012; 9: 54.
Helms E R, Zinn C, Rowlands D S, Brown S R . A systematic review of dietary protein during caloric restriction in resistance trained lean athletes: a case for higher intakes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2014; 24: 127–138.
Hoffman J R, Falvo M J . Protein – which is best? J Sports Sci Med 2004; 3: 118–130.
Aoi W, Naito Y, Yoshikawa T . Exercise and functional foods. Nutr J 2006; 5: 15.
Haff G G, Lehmkuhl M J, McCoy L B, Stone M H . Carbohydrate supplementation and resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2003; 17: 187–196.
Phillips S M, Hartman J W, Wilkinson S B . Dietary protein to support anabolism with resistance exercise in young men. J Am Coll Nutr 2005; 24: 134S–139S.
Biolo G, Tipton K D, Klein S, Wolfe R R . An abundant supply of amino acids enhances the metabolic effect of exercise on muscle protein. Am J Physiol 1997; 273: E122–129.
Borsheim E, Tipton K D, Wolf S E et al. Essential amino acids and muscle protein recovery from resistance exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2002; 283: E648–657.
Devries M C, Phillips S M . Supplemental protein in support of muscle mass and health: advantage whey. J Food Sci 2015; 80 (Suppl 1): A8–A15.
Boirie Y, Dangin M, Gachon P, Vasson M P, Maubois J L, Beaufrere B . Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial accretion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997; 94: 14930–14935.
Tipton K D, Rasmussen B B, Miller S L, Wolf S E, Owens-Stovall S K, Petrini B E, Wolfe RR : Timing of amino acid-carbohydrate ingestion alters anabolic response of muscle to resistance exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2001; 281: E197–E206.
Tipton K D, Elliott T A, Cree M G, Wolf S E, Sanford A P, Wolfe R R . Ingestion of casein and whey proteins results in muscle anabolism after resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36: 2073–2081.
Tipton K D, Ferrando A A, Phillips S M, Doyle D J, Wolfe R R . Post exercise net protein synthesis in human muscle from orally administered amino acids. Am J Physiol 1999; 276: E628–634.
Baty J J, Hwang H, Ding Z et al. The effect of a carbohydrate and protein supplement on resistance exercise performance, hormonal response, and muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 2007; 21: 321–329.
Denne S C, Liechty E A, Liu Y M, Brechtel G, Baron A D . Proteolysis in skeletal muscle and whole body in response to euglycemic hyperinsulinemia in normal adults. Am J Physiol 1991; 261: E809–814.
Borsheim E, Aarsland A, Wolfe R R . Effect of an amino acid, protein, and carbohydrate mixture on net muscle protein balance after resistance exercise. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2004; 14: 255–271.
Stark M, Lukaszuk J, Prawitz A, Salacinski A . Protein timing and its effects on muscular hypertrophy and strength in individuals engaged in weight-training. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2012; 9: 54.
Haff G G, Lehmkuhl M J, McCoy L B, Stone M H . Carbohydrate supplementation and resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 2003; 17: 187–196.
Figueiredo V C, Cameron-Smith D . Is carbohydrate needed to further stimulate muscle protein synthesis/hypertrophy following resistance exercise? J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2013; 10: 42.
Floyd J C Jr, Fajans S S, Knopf R F, Conn J W . Evidence that insulin release is the mechanism for experimentally induced leucine hypoglycemia in man. J Clin Invest 1963; 42: 1714–1719.
Akhavan T, Luhovyy B L, Brown P H, Cho C E, Anderson G H . Effect of pre-meal consumption of whey protein and its hydrolysate on food intake and post meal glycemia and insulin responses in young adults. Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 91: 966–975.
Staples A W, Burd N A, West D W, Currie K D, Atherton P J, Moore D R, Rennie M J, Macdonald M J, Baker S K, Phillips SM : Carbohydrate does not augment exercise-induced protein accretion versus protein alone. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011; 43: 1154–1161.
Alan Albert Aragon1 and Brad Jon Schoenfeld. Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window? J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2013; 10: 5.
Cho M, Jung Y P, Goodenough C et al. Effects of ingesting a pre-workout supplement with and without synephrine on cognitive function, perceptions of readiness to perform, and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014; 11(Suppl 1): P36.
Bloomer R J, Farney T M, Trepanowski J F et al. Comparison of pre-workout nitric oxide stimulating dietary supplements on skeletal muscle oxygen saturation, blood nitrate/nitrite, lipid peroxidation, and upper body exercise performance in resistance trained me. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2010; 7: 16.
Bendahan D, Mattei J P, Ghattas B, Confort-Gouny S, Le Guern M E, Cozzone P J . Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscle. Br J Sports Med 2002; 36: 282–289.
Hespel P, Derave W : Ergogenic effects of creatine in sports and rehabilitation. Subcell Biochem 2007; 46: 245–259.
Green J M, Wickwire P J, McLester J R et al.: Effects of caffeine on repetitions to failure and ratings of perceived exertion during resistance training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2007; 2: 250–259.
Bloomer R J : Nitric oxide supplements for sports. Strength Conditioning J 2010; 32: 14–20.
Bode-Boger S M, Boger R H, Creutzig A et al. L-arginine infusion decreases peripheral arterial resistance and inhibits platelet aggregation in healthy subjects. Clin Sci (Lond) 1994; 87: 303–310.
Bode-Boger S M, Boger R H, Galland A, Tsikas D, Frolich J C . Larginineinduced vasodilation in healthy humans: pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1998; 46: 489–497.
Adams M R, Forsyth C J, Jessup W, Robinson J, Celermajer D S . Oral L-arginine inhibits platelet aggregation but does not enhance endothelium-dependent dilation in healthy young men. J Am Coll Cardiol 1995; 26: 1054–1061.
Vyomax Nutrition. Sports drinks & ready to drinks. Online information available at: http://www.vyomaxnutrition.com/orange-maxi-carbs-energy-drinks-12x500ml-35-p.asp (accessed June 2015).
Grenby T H, Mistry M . Properties of maltodextrins and glucose syrups in experiments in vitro and in the diets of laboratory animals, relating to dental health. Br J Nutr 2000; 84: 565–574.
Moynihan P J et al. Acidogenic potential of fructo-oligosaccharides: incubation studies and plaque pH studies. Caries Research 2001; 35: 275
Milosevic A, Kelly M, McClean A . Sports supplement drinks and dental health in competitive swimmers and cyclists. Br Dent J 1997; 182: 303–308.
Steiffel S . The best muscle building supplements for beginners. Muscle & Fitness. Online information available at http://www.muscleandfitness.com/supplements/build-muscle/best-muscle-building-supplements-beginners (accessed June 2015).
Bodybuilding.com. Supplement time: Timing is everything. Online information available at http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/supplement-time-timing-is-everything.html (accessed June 2015).
König K G, Navia J . Nutritional role of sugars in oral health. Am J Clin Nutr 1995; 62(suppl): 275S–283S.
Touger-Decker R, van Loveren C . Sugar and dental caries. Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 78: 881S–892S.
Ten Cate J M, Duijsters P P . Influence of fluoride in solution on tooth demineralization. I. Chemical data. Caries Res 1983; 17: 193–199.
Moynihan P J, Kelly S A M . Effect on Caries of restricting sugar intake: systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. J Dent Res 2013; 93: 8–18.
Needleman I, Ashley P, Petrie A et al. Oral health and impact on performance of athletes participating in the London 2012 Olympic Games: a cross-sectional study. Br J Sports Med 2013; 47: 1054–1058.
Yang X J, Schamach P, Dai J P et al. Dental service in 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Br J Sports Med 2011; 45: 270–274.
Forrest J O . Dental condition of Olympic Games contestants—a pilot study, 1968. Dent Pract Dent Rec 1969; 20: 95–101.
Soler B D, Batchelor P A, Sheiham A . The prevalence of oral health problems in participants of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Int Dent J 1994; 44: 44–48.
Scheutzel P . Etiology of Dental Erosion—Intrinsic Factors. Eur J Oral Sci 1996; 104: 178–190.
FGDP. Selection criteria for dental radiography. 2015. Online information available at http://www.fgdp.org.uk/OSI/open-standards-initiative.ashx (accessed June 2015).
Trahan L . Xylitol: a review of its action on mutans streptococci and dental plaque—its clinical significance. Int Dent J 1995; 45: 77–92.
Wikner S, Söder P-Ö . Factors associated with salivary buffering capacity in young adults in Stockholm, Sweden. Scand J Dent Res 1994; 102: 50–53.
Roberts M W, Wright J T . Non-nutritive, low caloric substitutes for food sugars: Clinical implications for addressing the incidence of dental caries and overweight/obesity. Int J Dent 2012; 625–701.
Mandel I D, Grotz V L . Dental considerations in sucralose use. J Clin Dent 2002; 13: 116–118.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Refereed Paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ali, M., Batley, H. & Ahmed, F. Bodybuilding supplementation and tooth decay. Br Dent J 219, 35–39 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.521
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.521